Al Dente Trattoria Offers Multiple Menu Options!

For as long as I have known him, Chef/proprietor Anthony Delfino of Al Dente Trattoria in Harrison, has always enjoyed running back and forth from his kitchen to his dining room to hear from his patrons. It is a hospitable practice that still goes on; the smiles, the handshakes. Even his kitchen door is always thrust open.

He truly enjoys his audience. Now he  is marking his sixth year here with exciting new dishes and specialty days and nights.

Prior to opening Al Dente, his first solo venture, Chef Delfino had long been associated with the former Alex & Henry's Restaurant & Caterers in Eastchester. He sort of grew up there.

Customers entering Al Dente encounter a bouncy bar/lounge area seating up to 40 guests highlighted by a copper topped bar surrounded by hues of gold, brown wood and modern blue and white gold sconces hanging form the ceiling. A handsome wine cupboard offers many of the vintages on display along the wall.

The main dining room is separated and dressed with warm contemporary and traditional touches: white tablecloths, framed sconces on the wall, lush burgundy patterned carpeting and burnt orange walls. A French paneled sliding door can be closed for private parties. The main dining room can accommodate up to 70 guests.

Special Hints: New weekday specialties include Rib Eye Mondays served with two sides for $20.95. Tuesday is Pasta Night featuring 15 different pastas served with house salad for $14.95 per person. Wednesday Happy Hours from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. feature half-off cocktails at the bar. Thursday is Ladies Night from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. with half-off drinks at the bar. And Sundays customers can take 50 percent off a bottle of selected house wine. On Fridays an all-you-can-eat buffet lunch is served for $9.95 per person. Friday evenings starting at 9:30 p.m. there is a DJ for your listening and dancing pleasure. Friendly networking is de rigueur...

The new menu also melds traditional Italian with the contemporary as is Chef Delfino's style. Every table is served a tasty lagniappe of antipasti as you survey the menu. Good starters include: Tuscan pasta fagioli soup, beans and pasta served in a rich tomato broth; fried calamari salad, calamari tossed with arugula and cannellini beans with extra virgin olive oil; classic Caesar salad, fresh romaine topped with croutons and shaved parmigiano cheese tossed in a creamy dressing; baked clams oreganata; mozzerella caprese; stuffed mushrooms with crabmeat; and mussels marinara or fra diavolo style.

Pasta specialties include: tubetini Al Dente,broccoli rabe, cannellini beans, topped with grilled chicken and extra virgin; whole wheat linguini primavera, tossed with grilled vegetables, garlic and extra virgin; spaghettini carbonara with a combination of pancetta butter, egg, black pepper in a heavy cream sauce; linguini alla pescatore, topped with mixed seafood, garlic and extra virgin; and housemade gnocchi dumplings with tomato basil sauce.

Hearty main courses include: traditional chicken saltimbocca, boneless chicken layered with prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, spinach, sage, accented with white wine; pan-seared salmon in a rich champagne sauce; grilled prime pork chop with caramelized onions in a port wine reduction; veal Al Dente, thinly sliced veal sauteed with baby artichokes and sun dried tomatoes in a white wine sauce; chicken scarpariello, roasted chicken pieces sauteed with sausage and garlic in a white wine and lemon sauce; garlic shrimp, large shrimp in a flavorful sauce with risotto; veal alla Kara, lightly crusted pan seared veal over mixed greens, fresh mozzarella and fresh diced tomatoes; and Black Angus shell steak, charbroiled and topped with caramelized onions.

A new bar menu boasts such dishes as: chicken parm sliders; salmon cobb salad with bacon, egg, bleu cheese; an Italian BLT with grilled chicken; and a juicy Halstead burger topped with mozzarella, bacon and caramelized onions served with fries.

Save room for such house made desserts as: creme brulee and Italian style cheesecake.

Even after six years it is a dream come true for Chef/owner Anthony Delfino. Old and new friends will feel most welcome here.

Al Dente Trattoria & Lounge is located at 60 Halstead Ave., Harrison. The restaurant is open 7 days for dinner. Lunch served Tuesday to Saturday, noon to 3 pm. Main courses at lunch: $8.95 to $21.95. Free local delivery  noon to 4 pm. Dinner served 3 pm to 10 pm. Monday thru Thursday to 11 pm; to midnight Friday and Saturday; Sunday from 2 pm to 9 pm. Dinner main courses: $15.95 to $28.95. Bar menu available all day from $7.95. Cocktails and bar/lounge. TV. Full take-out. Catering facilities for up to 70 guests. Child friendly. Handicapped accessible. Major credit cards. Casual dress. Free street parking. Reservations accepted. Phone: 914-835-2535. www.makeitaldente.com

(Morris Gut is a restaurant consultant and former restaurant trade magazine editor. He has been tracking and writing about the dining scene in greater Westchester for over 25 years. He may be reached at: 914-235-6591. E-mail: gutreactions@optonline.net)